In an exclusive conversation, Read Rangers received the inside track on Olwethu Makhanya from Evangelos Vellios, the Stellenbosch FC reserves coach who nurtured the player.
Vellios is the coach who brought Olwethu Makhanya to Stellenbosch from Marumo Gallants after scouting him playing in South Africa’s reserve league. He also worked closely with him following his rapid promotion to the first team.
Stellenbosch was the launch pad for the central defender’s move to Philadelphia Union in MLS and now three years later, the 22-year-old has fulfilled a lifelong dream of making the big career move to Europe.
Rangers and Glasgow are now Makhanya’s home, and the player has been tipped to reach the very top. Vellios is convinced that he has all the attributes required.
Thanks to assistance from Glasgow South MP, Dr Zubir Ahmed, Olwethu Makhanya is in line to make his Rangers debut against Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Europa League qualifier on Thursday.
Exclusive insight on Olwethu Makhanya
Settle in for a long-read on Rangers’ latest South African.
GH: Could you tell me a little bit on your background with Olwethu, bringing him to Stellenbosch and the development in the player that you have witnessed?
EV: “Thank you so much for the opportunity. It’s a real privilege and an honour to share info on Olwethu. So I am the Under-21 coach of Stellenbosch Football Club, and we play in what is effectively known as the reserve league of South African football.
“We first came across Olwethu in our 21/22 season, where he played for a club called Marumo Gallants. And the first game we played, he left a great impression.
“I was like, I like the size of the player. I like his confidence on and off the ball. I was like, wow.”
“You know, myself and, and coach Jason that works with me, were like, we got to keep our tabs on this young man.
“Thankfully, we were able to sign him on a free transfer. He literally started five games for us (U21s) then our head coach promoted him straight into the starting lineup of our first team, such was his talent and potential. It was a great coup for us and great for the club.”
Olwethu Makhanya “is a special talent” – Evangelos Vellios
GH: Before I get on to the move to Rangers and the UK, what would you say were the qualities that won him the move to MLS, to Philadelphia Union?
AV: “I would say, you know, the modern centre back. That player with personality and courage on the ball.
“And I think Olwethu has got an incredible ability to play out the back, to carry the ball. And he’s an effective passer with both right and left foot.
“He can hit short and long passes with both his feet, you know, so it’s an amazing talent.
“And coupled with his size, athleticism, and ability to defend, whether it’s going up to win aerial balls or to defend the space in behind, or very good at reading when to jump out to nick balls or to put pressure, I think those overall qualities that were seen in such a young player playing in the Premier League in South Africa, which is a good competition, I think prompted Philadelphia Union to say, no, no, no, this is a special talent. We’re gonna have to come and get him.
“And part of the ethos of our club is we want to be a club that gives players opportunities to go and play abroad. Not only to give that opportunity to players, but also to impact South Africa in the global space and in the national team, which I think we and some of the other teams have done.
“And I would say that the continued development in MLS has obviously brought the player to the attention of Rangers.
GH: “Now the move has been finalised, it has been widely reported that the player was keen, in his own words, on making the big move to Europe from when he was a young boy.
Evangelos, what is your reaction to the move to Rangers to play in a high-pressure, demanding environment?
EV: “I think, you know, from the moment I met him, I could sense that there was an ambition, like you said, for him to reach the very top. And. And we were happy to help him do that and be part of a stepping stone.
“You know, I was very in touch with him when he went to MLS the first season. He played predominantly in their Next Gen competition, which is like an under-23 league.
“It was just encouraging him to say, ‘you know, keep your head up, keep working, develop yourself.’ And he did that.
“He had two great seasons, and what an opportunity for him to go to a massive club like Glasgow Rangers.
“And I’m not surprised how quickly he developed and how quickly it grew, and such is his talent, but also his character, ambition and personality as a human being.
GH: Scottish football is renowned for being a physical league. Is Makhanya physical enough? Is he aggressive enough? Can he wear the weight of the Rangers shirt? Can he come here and succeed?
EV: “Yes, I, I think Oluwethu definitely has the attributes.
“If you see, you know, his humble background, from the story of, of where he grew up and where he came out of.
“To leave as a young man, you know, to leave the province, to go to another province, like his resilience and as a human he is incredible.
“And not many players from South Africa leave the country and go to America.
“It’s far away, to go there and to live alone. And he showed a lot of character.
“So his personality is the type that is not, he’s not scared of a challenge. MLS is also very physical and athletic. He is a big, strong boy.
“I’m very confident that he will, he will step up and compete in the Scottish League. There might be an adaptation period, but he’s just the type of talent that rises to the level that is demanded and I have no doubt that physically and technically he will cope.
“Playing for a club like Rangers, who will dominate a lot of games, with his ball-playing ability. I think he will add a lot of value to Rangers both, both in the league and in Europe.
He’s got what it takes to go to the very top
GH: The fans have noticed from the clips online that Olwethu can play a pass with both feet. Would you say he is comfortable as part of two central defenders as well as a three, and could he even cover at fullback?
EV: “Definitely a centre back in a back three and a back two, because I was always amazed watching warm-ups how Olwethu would just drive balls with his left and right foot, and that when the standard defenders are working on their passing, it’s just magnificent to see how effortlessly he does it.
“So he’s able to travel with the ball and come out with his left and his right foot with his athleticism and physical capabilities.
“As a fullback, I wouldn’t say it’s the most natural position for him, but sometimes if you’ve got to close out a game and he needs to go on the sides, I don’t see a reason why he wouldn’t be able to do that because his football knowledge and understanding of the game is very good.
GH: There’s always expectations at Rangers and we don’t want to put too much pressure on the player too soon, but do you think he will be coming to Rangers with ambitions to excel, and maybe reach the Premier League or a top five league in Europe? Can he go that far?
EV: We will see. Olwethu is a humble human being, coming from humble beginnings. He will really appreciate this opportunity and he will firstly want to defend the colours of Rangers and help Rangers win some titles.
“In the process of doing that, his ultimate dream has always been to play, like you said, in one of the so-called Top 4/Top 5 Leagues of Europe.
“Rangers is already a massive club and if that were the pinnacle of his career, I know not only him, but we would all be very, very proud, you know, because what an opportunity.
“But he’s got an ability to jump to the level that is required of him. So I wouldn’t be surprised, you know, in due time and once he learns the league and learns what the coaches want, that he can establish himself.
“And I mean he’s only 22 years old, so I wouldn’t be surprised, you know, 25, 26, once he’s hopefully achieved all the things he can with Rangers and, and help Rangers get back to the top of the league, winning some trophies, it will be amazing for him to then get that opportunity to go further
“I do think he’s got, for what coaches are looking at the highest level – players that can defend, but that can also play out the back, comfortable in possession.
“I think he’s got those abilities to do that and that’s why I believe he’s got what it takes to go to the very top.”
GH: Did OM previously play further forward? Because he just seems very comfortable on the front foot, carrying the ball.
EV: There were times when Olwethu came where we even thought he’s a holding midfielder, because he’s got the physical presence, so comfortable on the ball and like you said, his ability to carry. But he never.
“To my knowledge, he was always a centre back. But like you said that talent and that ability to play is what really sets his ceiling that much higher.
“His ability to play sets him apart. And I think that’s what’s going to make him an exciting talent and a player that I think the Rangers faithful will love watching him play.
“I would just like to take the opportunity to thank both Rangers and of course his former team, Philadelphia Union, for giving this young man an opportunity.
“You know, as South Africans out here, we are so proud of him and we really look to him, you know, to keep going. And I’ll keep for sure supporting him and engaging him whenever I can, just to say, hey, keep your head up, keep working, boy. You know, because he’s really making us all proud and representing us all great.
GH: “Just to finish Evangelos, you mentioned earlier about the World Cup experience. Did this World Cup perhaps come just a little bit too soon for Makanya, given that he had just made his debut ealier in the summer?
Would you expect that if his development continues, that he will establish himself with Bafana Bafana?
EV: “Yeah. I mean, personally, I was quite surprised and obviously with all the respect to our national coaches, I did feel over the last couple of seasons that he was a little bit overlooked given what he was doing in the US and who he was playing against.
“I personally just thought he might just not make the squad given that the coach hasn’t really added him. And then in the final sort of squad he was selected in there and he played a friendly game and I thought he’d done really well.
“I just felt that maybe he had arrived at the squad too late to gain the trust to potentially be a starter. So I felt it was a little bit late. But having said that, I was very happy that he got an opportunity to be in that World cup in that squad, learning and growing within the environment.
“And I think it’s going to be very interesting to see in the next coming months and years, because I do think he will establish himself as a starting center back.
“Now it’s up to him to really, you know, grab this opportunity and establish himself also in the national team because I think we’ve got a good crop of players that can for sure qualify to the AFCONS and hopefully again to the next World Cup.
“Hopefully by then, Olwethu Makhanya can be an established centre back for our country, South Africa.
GH: Fantastic, thank you for the insight, Evangelos.
EV: “Thank you so much, Graeme.
“Again, it’s an honour for me to speak about Olwethu. And from all of us at Stellenbosch Football Club, we wish not only Oluwethu, but Rangers Football Club, all the best for the season.
“You know, you’re gonna get a lot of supporters coming out of South Africa. Your social media pages will grow, and we’ll be rooting for him and for the team.
“So all of the best for the season, and we’ll be praying for Olwethu and the team.”
